Tiger tourism projects suspended in India

Two tiger tourism projects in India have been suspended while the authorities look into the legalities of their continued operation. The projects at Periyar National Park in Kerala would have seen tourists undertaking treks in the park with rangers to experience the wealth of wildlife in the park. The two new projects were called Tiger Trail and Jungle Patrol. The two projects would not have seen tourists being taken into the heart of the park but will have provided the opportunities for tourists to join rangers on patrol in the buffer areas and the fringes of the park.

“We allow tourists to patrol with forests guards only in fringes of the sanctuary in Thekkady district and not deep inside core zone as proposed by the Madhya Pradesh government,” a senior official told a news agency.

“We have sought clarification from the National Tiger Conservation Authority NTCA) in the matter. Then only we will proceed with the projects. We are open to dropping the schemes if we find them in violation of the law,” the official said.

Full details of the scheme have been sent to the national government for examination.

Eco tourism is an important part of the local economy and the the tourist industry is developing quickly in Kumily the local town for Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve and tourism is now only second to the spice industry which dominates the area. While the 40 resident tigers are the main draw for many people to the area, the park offers a wide diversity of wildlife for visitors. From the Indian elephant to mouse deer to the rare lion-tail macaque and a wide range of bird life congregates around the lake at the heart of the park.

The two new projects that the local authority had hoped to start would have enabled highly skilled and experienced poachers turned rangers to increase the range of services to tourists and helped to expand the hospitality industry aimed at the premium market.

While it’s understandable that tiger protection and conservation has to take priority neither Tiger Trail or Jungle Patrol would have seen unsustainable numbers of unescorted tourists entering the core park and reserve areas. For conservation to be successful it needs to involve local people and contribute to the local economy otherwise it becomes very hard to gain the necessary support of the public. It disappointing that this type of novel scheme could be put under threat. Hopefully once the full details have been examined a way will be found to allow well managed tourism into the park. Finding employment for people who once poached in the park is a great way of ensuring that the park and the wildlife survive.

These are very low impact tourist schemes. It’s not like going on safari in Africa where you are one of a dozen or more trucks racing around looking for wildlife. The two schemes were trekking and rough camping. Mainly involving a maximum of 5 tourists supported by 5 guides and 2 park officials the projects would not have led to any development in the park – there wold have been no need for roads or tracks to be built and with it being restricted to rough camping there would have been no campsite facilities to be built.

Hopefully these projects will be restarted soon because if they are properly managed and monitored then it will be a real boost to the area and offer a real alternative way of earning a living than through poaching.

photo credit: mtkopone